Guy Who Took Photo of Obama Selfie Tells Internet to Get a Life

[muriel_volestrangler]

Roberto Schmidt, a German-Colombian photojournalist based in India, saw a moment worth capturing at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in Soweto, South Africa on Tuesday, and capture it he did: the ‘selfie’ taken by President Barack Obama along with two other world leaders and next to a pissed-off seeming Michelle Obama, immediately went viral. Mediaite sure covered it, as did most internet publications, and by early afternoon it was gristle for cable news commentators on both the left and the right—much to Schmidt’s dismay.

“It’s a sign of our times that somehow this image seemed to get more attention than the event itself,” Schmidt wrote on Agence France-Presse’s “Correspondent” blog Wednesday morning.

http://www.mediaite.com/online/guy-who-took-photo-of-obama-selfie-tells-internet-to-get-a-life/

Anyway, suddenly this woman pulled out her mobile phone and took a photo of herself smiling with Cameron and the US president. I captured the scene reflexively. All around me in the stadium, South Africans were dancing, singing and laughing to honour their departed leader. It was more like a carnival atmosphere, not at all morbid. The ceremony had already gone on for two hours and would last another two. The atmosphere was totally relaxed – I didn’t see anything shocking in my viewfinder, president of the US or not. We are in Africa.

I later read on social media that Michelle Obama seemed to be rather peeved on seeing the Danish prime minister take the picture. But photos can lie. In reality, just a few seconds earlier the first lady was herself joking with those around her, Cameron and Schmidt included. Her stern look was captured by chance.

I took these photos totally spontaneously, without thinking about what impact they might have. At the time, I thought the world leaders were simply acting like human beings, like me and you. I doubt anyone could have remained totally stony faced for the duration of the ceremony, while tens of thousands of people were celebrating in the stadium. For me, the behaviour of these leaders in snapping a selfie seems perfectly natural. I see nothing to complain about, and probably would have done the same in their place. The AFP team worked hard to display the reaction that South African people had for the passing of someone they consider as a father. We moved about 500 pictures, trying to portray their true feelings, and this seemingly trivial image seems to have eclipsed much of this collective work.

http://blogs.afp.com/correspondent/?post/Selfie

[NYC_SKP]

1. I hate this fucking bullshit about Michelle being pissed. People want to shit on the black woman.

Makes me fucking sick.

It looks to me likes her attention is elsewhere. Nothing more than that.

Fucking assholes. Just crop the picture, Michelle wasn't part of the moment.

[NuclearDem]

4. When subtle racism and misogyny collide.

Sometimes I have to check the address bar to make sure I didn't stumble into a Freeper thread.

[cilla4progress]

12. I know...

photos can be very misleading that way; a moment - just a flash - in time.

RiDONKulous!

[Mike Daniels]

64. Like a picture taken just as someone blinks at an important event.

All of sudden, the cable news goes off that so and so was sleeping during the funeral/speach what-have-you of person xyz.

[Blue_Tires]

9. +1

[calimary]

15. Truly. That's how it struck me. And how many funerals and memorial gatherings have you

attended where the speeches are all about "celebrating the life of..." Key word here - "celebrating." Has there been any pearl-clutching about the crowds of South Africans behind the dais with the VIPs - who were obviously celebrating and dancing and singing?

Forcryingoutloud! Tempest meet teapot.

[Triana]

21. I agree. She doesn't look "pissed" to me. She looks as if she's just watching the event...

...while Barack has a little fun. No "pissed" about it. The woman is just sitting there.

Damn. They're (media and the GOP) always ready to negatively define this woman.

[alcibiades_mystery]

24. So true...to see that play out at DU was really discouraging...it's a racist trope pure and simple

[gtar100]

36. I recently went through the SFO airport and did a bit of people watching.

I saw faces in all variety. Some people had stern looks like Michelle Obama does in this picture. Yet moments later the look was gone. They were talking with their kids, using their phones, talking with others, etc. My point being that their expressions changed. One moment's expression is not typically the complete picture of what's going on. I'm sure I have expressions that might scare away strangers sometimes, as does everyone. And everyone who's jumping on Michelle for this picture I'm certain of it because to be that judgmental can only mean there is a bitterness inside that is impossible to hide all the time.

[Catherine Vincent]

39. I agree with you too

But you know if the photographer had cropped her out, someone would have found out and blew that all out of proportion and possibly creating a fake scandal. LOL.

[Number23]

51. What was really interesting is that in one of the pics, the Danish PM actually has her hand cupping

David Cameron's face as all three take the selfie and some folks here were STILL playing the "oooooh, I bet the ride on Air Force One was sooooo quiet on the way home!"

Even with that photo, it was still "Michelle is JEALOUS." This woman could have licked David Cameron across the back of the neck and none of those folks would have questioned if HIS wife was "jealous" or if her husband was (if the Danish PM is married, that is).

[NYC_SKP]

52. I'm still livid. Like, "Obama's looking good so how can we stir shit up? Hey, look at Michelle!"

Those motherfuckers NEVER said a word about either Bush wife or Nancy Reagan.

Fuck.

[muriel_volestrangler]

62. The Danish PM is married to the son of a former British Labour party leader

which came up in the different way it was reported in Britain. There has been a little of "is that appropriate at a memorial?", but not much - MPs can laugh about it:

The Prime Minister posed with US president Barack Obama and Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt - daughter-in-law of former Labour leader Lord Kinnock - in the FNB Stadium in Soweto. Asked about it at Prime Minister's Questions, and to laughter from MPs, Mr Cameron replied: "In my defence I would say that Nelson Mandela played an extraordinary role in his life and in his death in bringing people together. So, of course, when a member of the Kinnock family asked me for a photograph, I thought it was only polite to say yes."

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/cameron-laughs-off-criticism-over-memorial-selfie.22933402

And Denmark is notably more relaxed about it too (the Liberal Alliance is an opposition party):

The PM also showed that she had a sense of humour when MPs Ole Birk Olesen and Joachim B Olsen (both Liberal Alliance) tracked her down in parliament today.

In a video they posted on Facebook, Thorning-Schmidt approaches and asks if the two would like to take a selfie, before posing with Olsen in front of the camera.

“Can we take a wet selfie?” Olsen asks before giving the PM a quick kiss on the cheek.

The video was uploaded onto YouTube by their party with the tagline: “Say what you like, but Thorning has a sense of humour and style!”

http://cphpost.dk/news/thorning-schmidt-selfie-shows-leaders-are-normal-people.8080.html

[Matariki]

59. I was just going to post the same thing. She looks thoughtful to me.

like she's listening to something.

Trying to figure how someone gets 'pissed' out of that.

[oberliner]

61. What if it was Laura Bush?

Let's say Bush was taking a similar photo with a couple of world leaders and Laura looked the way Michelle does.

Wouldn't there be some jokes here about that?

[NYC_SKP]

65. I don't recall the media ever hitting on either Bush first lady.

Certain rags gave Nancy Reagan a bad time, not mainstream, IIRC.

[oberliner]

66. Not mainstream media

But I was asking about DU in particular.

[NYC_SKP]

67. There have been a few vicious and nasty statements on DU about all manner of women, and men.

No doubt about it.

My post above was really an indictment of what seems to be the ease with which MSM jumps on Michelle where they seemed far more respectful with Laura Bush and Barbara Bush.

They were more often unkind to Hillary, and worse, it seems, with Michelle.

[oberliner]

68. Yes - I'd agree

Agree with everything you wrote here.

[otohara]

2. So FLOTUS Isn't an Angry Black Woman

after all?

Didn't think so but there sure were a whole lot to judgmental comments about her yesterday.

[snooper2]

3. The DU Threads had me ROFL my fucking ass off!

[dipsydoodle]

5. Didn't stop him selling the pictures though did it.

.

[KittyWampus]

6. he's a photographer… why shouldn't he? He explains he thought it was an interesting moment

and he is correct.

It IS A GREAT PHOTO.

the issue are the fools who focus on the First Lady.

[Wait Wut]

10. "It IS A GREAT PHOTO."

THANK YOU!!! I love the looks on their faces! Holy crap, our world leaders and sub-leaders can be freakin' human. It makes me feel safer to know they can hang out like the rest of us. They look like old friends.

[calimary]

18. "They look like old friends." Hey, Wait Wut, for all our sakes, they better be!

One would HOPE that these world leaders who've shared many a dinner table and conference dais together WOULD be old friends. For all our sakes!

[Wait Wut]

34. LOL! True, but...

...to see them actually enjoying each other's company goes above and beyond politics. I've had coworkers that I've been forced to work with for longer than they have and I wouldn't be caught dead having a good time with them.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. As he said, it was part of 500 AFP photos of the day

He just saw it as a little cameo of one moment.

[Ed Suspicious]

14. As a working photographer myself... why the hell wouldn't he sell the picture? It's his living to

find those moments and to capitalize on them. It's kind of the whole point. Not publishing or shares on social media don't pay the rent.

[frylock]

37. do you provide goods and services gratis?

[Dash87]

7. Obama: "Dude, this is so going on Instagram!"

Come on - this is funny! It's just 3 human beings having fun. Has our society gotten so hardened and cynical that everything must be criticized?

[calimary]

19. Only if there's an Obama in it, I guess.

[riqster]

22. Has our society gotten so hardened and cynical that everything must be criticized?

Yes.

[dipsydoodle]

23. I'm not complaining about him selling them.

Its the photographer himself who's whining about subsequent events.

[Dash87]

28. Oh I know. I was talking about the ppl mad about Obama's selfie

and Michelle Obama's face.

[frylock]

38. the photographer is "whining" about the butthurt from the idiot assholes on the right

[Rex]

13. Well heaven forbid he show any emotion!

Repukes are up in arms, they like their POTUS to be a dull lifeless lump like Dubya.

[Ed Suspicious]

16. W was pretty animated. I recall him doing some weird kind of dance at an even with what I assume

were African people. He was a little kooky. It was one of his only saving graces as far as I could tell.

[Rex]

20. Yes, when he was too drunk to get out of the car

or baseball seat or didn't know which way to open a door...he could be somewhat startled like a deer in the headlights.


Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh....

[meti57b]

27. Thanks for the pic of "the door moment"! I still get a laugh out of that!

[Dash87]

30. He was trying to duck a press question. :D

Whoever locked that door, we love you!

[Proud Liberal Dem]

56. Did they get a kick

Out of Bush's impromptu massage of the German Chancellor? THAT was creepy IMHO!

[DeSwiss]

17. K&R

- I'm throwing a party for my final scene of Act III. No crying, and no tears allowed except for the people who have to clean up after.

[grantcart]

33. "Solemnity only serves their pomposity".

Thanks from one of the greatest.

[Aviation Pro]

25. I guess to all ball gargling Republicants....

....if you don't have Shooter McHeartAttacks stern visage and "gravitas" at all times you aren't serious. Here's the walking wad of diseased phlegm at one of the few events that he fucking deigned himself to be at during his illegal tenure as the nation's fucking asswipe:



Next time, when you have to attend a memorial service at Auschwitz, you fucking wad of used shit paper, wear something more dignified than a USAF cold weather parka.

Here's to hoping his next heart attack leaves him in excruciating pain.

Oh, did I mention that all ball gargling tea fuck Republicants should go fuck themselves.

Go fuck yourselves.

[mahannah]

26. "Don't shovel the glimpse into the ditch of what each one means." - Bob Dylan

[barbtries]

29. anything to try and make the president look bad.

so weak.

[SansACause]

31. Maybe he was showing her photos on his iPhone...

...of Benghazi!!!

[Politicub]

32. Out of touch and probably older

Are two traits that people making an issue out of this have.

Lots of People take selfies - especially young people who are probably scratching their collective heads about why this is a big deal for some people.

It's grist for the fox mill since it's audience is, well, old and out of touch.

[sweetloukillbot]

63. It's people who don't respect Nelson Mandela's life and achievements that are complaining...

About the behavior of people who do respect him at an event honoring him. They really don't care one way or the other, they're just looking to bitch about someone they don't like.
It reminds me of an argument my dad had with my grandfather when Pope JP II visited Phoenix about 25 years ago. My grandfather was raging about how the Catholic Church was wasting all this money for the event when they could be donating to the poor. My dad finally got sick of listening and said "Why do you care? You're not Catholic so it's not your money, and it's not like you give to the poor either."

[seabeyond]

35. cat fight. cause it is so much fun for too many people. truly disgusting. nt

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

40. This is really all the teabaggers have now

Benghazi was a nothing for them. Obamacare will be a success. Unemployment is dropping. Stock market is strong.

The GOP is down to handshakes and capturing expressions at random moments.

They are fucking done people. DONE.

[seabeyond]

41. and men on du??? ooops. some men. i didnt see the giggle of this on rw.

i saw it on du.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

42. Yes, please steer it back to attacking DU again.

That helps.

[seabeyond]

43. yes. cause it is much better to ignore our issues and deflect to rw? ah ha. ya. not gonna happen.

we own it.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

44. You got sucked in by a low count troll who's post was hidden

He's probably back at the CC right now laughing at you. Mission accomplished.

Meanwhile CNN is inviting right wingers on as we speak to snark about shaking bloody hands with dictators. I'm sorry if you can snuggle up with the right. I can't.

[seabeyond]

45. and a lot of high count men on du were having a hoot of a time, at the expense of our

first lady.

your point?

[seabeyond]

47. you sure take it to personal, dontcha. cant argue otherwise?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

48. There's nothing to "argue" about

The article states the internet is acting like assholes, not Joey the head with under 1000 posts on DU.

I attack the RW and you feel the need to correct me.

[seabeyond]

49. you ignore reality then demand i do too, to the point of personal insult.

i will leave the subthread. it is all pretty clear our respective positions.

[Texasgal]

53. Yup.

Our Strong Black First Lady is a mean ol' thing isn't she? Just look at that GLARE!

UGH.

[Maven]

50. Um...am I missing something? She doesn't look pissed. It's a neutral facial expression.

[spanone]

54. maybe just for a moment, the history engulfed Ms. Obama....it had to be pretty damned surreal.

it is a sign of our times......

[Cha]

57. Mahalo muriel.. I saw this on another site, thanks for bringing it on board.

"Anyway, suddenly this woman pulled out her mobile phone and took a photo of herself smiling with Cameron and the US president. I captured the scene reflexively. All around me in the stadium, South Africans were dancing, singing and laughing to honour their departed leader. It was more like a carnival atmosphere, not at all morbid. The ceremony had already gone on for two hours and would last another two. The atmosphere was totally relaxed – I didn’t see anything shocking in my viewfinder, president of the US or not. We are in Africa.

I later read on social media that Michelle Obama seemed to be rather peeved on seeing the Danish prime minister take the picture. But photos can lie. In reality, just a few seconds earlier the first lady was herself joking with those around her, Cameron and Schmidt included. Her stern look was captured by chance."

snip//

Photographer: Obama Selfie Not What It Seems

"I doubt anyone could have remained totally stony-faced for the duration of the ceremony, while tens of thousands of people were celebrating in the stadium. For me, the behaviour of these leaders in snapping a selfie seems perfectly natural. I see nothing to complain about, and probably would have done the same in their place."

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2013/12/photographer_obama_selfie_not_what_it_seems.html

[JI7]

58. do they expect woman to be trained to plaster a fake smile on their faces at all times

especially in public . as if they are things rather than human beings.

[Lordquinton]

60. There is a picture from a few seconds before

Shows more of the story

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/12/11/conservatives-write-sexist-fanfiction-for-obama/197227

Full link